Arcuate double edge razor blade



1963 P. M. GIROUARD I 9 37 ARCUATE DOUBLE EDGE RAZOR BLADE Filed Jan. '7, 1960 IN V EN TOR.

PAUL M. GI ROUARD ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,109,237 ARCUATE DOUBLE EDGE RAZGR BLADE Paul M. Girouard, 219 Pine St., Gardner, Mass. Filed Jan. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 972 1 Claim. (Cl. 30-354) This invention relates to safety razors and more par-- ticularly comprises a new and improved razor blade and holder.

Virtually all forms of safety razors heretofore developed are adapted to cut when drawn in but one direction along the skin. That is, the cutting edges of safety razors are so positioned that when the implement is held at a particular angle relative to the skin area to be shaved and the razor is drawn in one direction, the cutting edge will move across the skin and shave it, but when drawn in the other direction the blade -will slide smoothly over the surface without performing the shaving function. While safety razors employing double edge blades may cut when drawn in each direction, nevertheless, the razor must be positioned in different angles to the surface of the skin to be effective. Of course, the single edge cutting blades used in other forms of safety razors will only cut in one direction.

The object of the present invention is to provide a safety razor and blade which may be drawn back and forth across the skin in short strokes and shave while moving in each direction.

To accomplish this and other objects, the safety razor includes a specially formed double edge blade. In several embodiments of my invention, the blade is semi-cylindrioal in shape and is provided with a slot across its midsection parallel to and equidistant from the straight sides of the blade. The margins of the blade which define the sides of the slot are formed into cutting edges which face one another. Extending from the ends of the slot are cuts parallel to the ends of the blade which permit the cutting edges to be displaced from the uniformly curved surface of the blade body. The holder for the blade may take any one of several forms, two of which are shown. In one embodiment, the holder includes a recess provided with elongated opposing grooves at the margins of the recess which receive the parallel straight sides of the blade. When the sides of the blade are inserted into the grooves, the blade curves out of the body of the holder exposing the cutting edges. As these cutting edges face one another, the holder may be moved back and forth in short strokes across the skin and when moved in each direction the blade facing in the direction of motion will perform the shaving action. y

In another embodiment of my invention, the substantially semi-cylindrical blade defines an arc in excess of 180 so that the straight parallel edges of the blade substantially face one another. In this embodiment of my invention, the straight sides are formed into cutting edges in effect disposed in the same relative relationship as the cutting edges of the blades in the other embodiments. This blade may be supported in a holder having a drumtype carriage with a radius of curvature identical to that of the blade. The blade lies on the surface of the drum and may be retained in place by a pair of pins which extend through small holes formed in the blade. An arcuate plate pivotally secured to the drum of the holder dddhfid? Patented Nov. 5, 1963 is adapted to overlie the major portion of the blade leaving exposed only the blade sides which serve as the cutting edges. As the outting edges of the blade substantially face one another, the razor when moved back and forth in short strokes over the skin will perform the shaving action when the holder is moved in each direction.

These and other objects and features of my invention will be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of several embodiments thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view in perspective of a safety razor having a holder and blade constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the blade and holder shown in FIGURE 1 with the parts in assembled relationship;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of safety razor constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of the holder and blade of FIGURE 3 in their assembled relationship;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of safety razor including holder and blade constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view of the blade and holder of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of still another razor blade holder of my invention; and

FIGURES 7a and 7b are perspective views of still other razor blades which are designed to be used with the lade holder of FIG. 7.

The embodiment of my invention shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 includes a blade 10 and holder 12. The blade Iii is made of a metal and is arcuate in shape, having straight parallel side flanges 14 and 16 and ends 18 and 2t Extending along the center of the blade Ill is a slot 22 which terminates short of the ends 18 and 20 of the blade. The marginal side edges 24 and 26 of the slot 22 are formed into cutting edges facing one another and parallel with the side flanges l4 and 16 of the blade. A pair of cuts 28 and 30 are formed in the plate 10 parallel with its ends 18 and 20, and the central portions of these cuts are coincident with the ends of the slot 22. The cuts free the cutting edges 24 and 26 of the blade so as to allow them to be displaced from the semi-cylindrical surface of the blade body.

The holder 12 includes a handle 32 and a main body portion 34. The body portion 34 is generally rectangular in shape and is provided with a recess 36 extending upwardly from the lower surface of the body. Grooves 38 and 4%) are formed at the sides of the recess 36 and face one another. These grooves are adapted to receive the side flanges 14 and 16 of the blade. This arrangement is clearly shown in FIGURE 2.

The side flanges 14 and 16 of the blade which fit Within the grooves 38 and 40 of the body may be bent from the otherwise smooth ourve of the blade as suggested in FIGURE 1 so as to more readily fit within the slots provided. However, the grooves 38 and 40 could if desired be so formed in the body 34 as to face downwardly at an angle approximately 45 from that shown. When so shaped, the side flanges 14 and 16 of the blade need not be specially bent as shown, but rather could follow the curvature of the major portion of the blade.

Preferably, the cord of the arcuate or semicircular cross section of the blade 1G is slightly longer than the distance between the grooves 38 and 40 which receive the sides of the blade. When so formed, it will be necessary to bend slightly the blade Ill to reduce its radius of curvature so as to insert the side flanges 14 and 16 of the blade into the grooves provided in the body. If the relative dimensions of the blade and body are as suggested, the comprmsive action applied to the blade would force the cutting edges 24 and 26 formed on the sides of the slot 22 to move out of the curved surface of the major portion of the blade body so as to render the exposures of those cutting edges more pronounced. Because the cuts 28 and 30 are provided along the ends of the slot 22, the cutting edges 24 and 26 of the blade will not be subjected to the same forces as the ends of the blade beyond the cuts when the blade is bent and as a result, the cutting edges 24 and 26 will extend substantially tangentially from the cylindrical surface of the blade.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the blade 50 is somewhat modified from the blade shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and the holder 52. is substantially different from the holder 12. The blade 50 is generally semi-cylindrical in shape but includes a framelike rim 54- as a support. The semi-cylindrical portion of the blade 50 includes a slot cutting edges 6t and 62 and cuts 64 and 66.

The holder 52 includes a rectangular frame 68' having a seat 70 on its inner surface which receives the rectangular rim 54 of the blade. A cover 72 hingedly secured to the frame 68 as suggested at 7 4 is moved to the position shown in FIGURE 3 to allow the blade 50 to be inserted within the frame 68. After the blade is inserted within the frame so that its rectangular rim 54 is disposed on the seat 70, the cover 72 is closed so as to hold the blade in position.

This may be effected by spring loading the hinge 74 to bias the cover 72 to the lower or closed position wherein it bears against the top of the rim 54 of the blade. The holder 52 also includes a pair of downwardly extending curved walls 76 and 78 which lend additional support to the blade 50. These walls 76 and 78 cover a substantial part of the cylindrical portion 56 of the blade 51 as is clearly shown in FIGURE 4, lending the blade support and limiting the exposure of the cutting edges 6t)- and 62. The cutting edges '60 and 62 of the blade with the portions of the blade body immediately adjacent to the edges extend tangentially from the lower portions of the flanges 78 and 76. Should these portions along with the cutting edges become bent so as to extend under normal conditions a substantial distance out of the cylindrical surface of the portion 56 of the blade 50', the walls '76 and 78 will insure the proper angle of inclination for the cutting edges for shaving.

'lhe mbodirnent of my invention shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 includes :a generally semi-cylindrical blade 30 and a blade holder 82. The blade 80, unlike the blades in the other embodiments illustrated, does not include a central elongated slot across its mid-portion but rather has cutting edges formed on its straight parallel sides 84 and 86. However, because the blade 8i defines an are which is somewhat more than 180, the cutting edges on the sides 84 and 86 generally face one another as do the cutting edges in the other blades of my invention. The holder 82 includes a drum or cylinder 88 provided with a pair of pins 90 (one of which is shown in FIGURE 5) on each side of the drum. These pins 98 extend substantially radially outward from the surface of the drum and are adapted to extend through openings 92 provided in the blade 80 to retain the blade on the drum. These pins co-operate with a curved plate 94 hingedly secured to the drum 88 by pins 96 to retain the blade on the drum. The hingedly connected plate 94- is adapted to move hetween the position shown in FIGURE 5 (the position in which it is placed when the blade is to be mounted) and a position wherein it lies flat upon the upper surface of the blade 89. This position is suggested in FIGURE 6. It will be appreciated from an inspection of FIGURE 6 that when the blade is assembled on the holder 82, the cutting edges 84 and 86 have substantially the same relative positions as the cutting edges 24 and 26 of the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2 and the cutting edges 60' and 62 of the embodiment of FIGURES 3 and 4.

In FIGURES 7, 7a and 7b I have illustrated still other embodiments of my invention. These embodiments are particularly designed for use by women for shaving their un-derarms and legs. A separate blade is provided for each of these tasks. The razor shown in FIG. 7 includes a generally block-shaped frame or holder 16%) having opposite sides 10 2 and 164 adapted to receive blades 106 and 168 as shown in FIGS. 7a and 712 respectively. The

side 102 of the holder has a pair of flanges 110' forming grooves 112 which engage the edges of blade 106 of FIG. 7a to retain the blade in position. Similarly, the side 104 has flanges 112 which form grooves 11-4 to engage the edges 116 of the blade 108 of FIG. 7b.

The blade 106' is arcuate in shape, and the centrally located slot 118 along the sides of which the cutting edges 120 are formed, follows the curve of the blade so that each cutting edge itself is curved. The cutting edges extend out of the surface of the blade from its convex side (this being permitted by slits extending from the ends of the slot as described fully in connection with the other embodiments of my invention), and thus the blade is particularly well suited to shave a concave surface such as the underarms.

The blade 108 removably secured to the side 104 of the holder is designed to shave the legs of the user. It will be noted that the blade includes an arcuate section depending from a pair of parallel side walls 122 which include edges 116 slidable within the grooves 114 of the holder. The arcuate section is provided with an elongated slot 124 whose sides define the cutting edges 126 of the blade. These cutting edges extend out of the main curved surface of the blade from its concave face (as do the cutting edges of the other blades), and thus, when the blade is mounted on the side 104 of the holder 100, it may readily be employed to shave the legs or other concave surface.

With either blade mounted on the holder, the user may grasp the holder between the thumb and fingers and move it back and forth in short strokes in the prescribed manner to shave the desired part of the body.

Having described my invention in detail, it will be apparent that each of the several embodiments of my invention may be used in the manner suggested in the introduction. By holding the handle or body of the holder and moving the holder back and forth in short rapid strokes along a path perpendicular to the cutting edges of the blades, the cutting edges will perform the shaving function when moved in each direction. This feature of my invention will increase the speed of shaving as well as render a better shave than the safety razors of the prior art. With safety razors of the prior art, the users generally draw the razors in but one direction over the skin while with my safety razor the shaving action in two directions will effect a closer shave.

Having described my invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications may be made of the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, in any of the embodiments of my invention, the blade may be formed integrally with the holder. This in fact is suggested in the case of the blade 108 in the embodiment of FIGURE 7 wherein the blade includes side :walls 122 which effectively form part of the frame or holder when assembled. Therefore, I [do not intend to limit the scope of my invention to the embodiments illustrated and described.

5 Rather, it is my intention that the breadth of my invention be determined by the appended claim and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:

A razor blade comprising a sheet of metallic material 'arcuate in cross section and having straight parallel side edges at the ends of the are, a slot cut in the sheet parallel with and equidistant from the side edges of said sheet, cutting edges formed in the sheet at the side margins of said slot, means in the sheet enabling the cutting edges to be displaced out of the arc of the cross section of the sheet, and flanges forming part of the sheet and extending outwardly from the side edges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lindsay Apr. 27, White Dec. 5, Rasmussen Nov. 26, Osberghaus Sept. 6, Benjamin June 29, Ruski Apr. 20, Stewart Mar. 20, Nolan May 25,

FOREIGN PATENTS Austria Feb. 25, 

